Humidity In The House.

We all know humidity is around us at all times. And yet, how many of us actually check our household humidity to see if we have the proper amount of it? Or how many of us actually have any idea how much is enough, and how much is too much, or not enough?

The indoor humidity should be relative to the outdoor temperatures. For instance, if the outdoor temp is below 0 degrees fahrenheit, the indoor humidity is generally good at around 30-35%. If the outdoor temp is above 32 degrees, then the humidity should be between 35-50%. Be careful though, because when you get over 50% indoor humidity, mold may become an issue. And you do not want mold in your house.

Speaking of mold, if you have a home with a basement, the moist soil underneath the concrete floor can cause the carpeting on the basement floor to become moist, which then becomes a breeding ground for mold. Mold is a hazard in the home, and it can become life endangering. In some localities, if household mold is bad enough, the home is burned to the ground, and the insurance covers it. Most of the time though, I doubt insurance will cover this.

Here are symptoms of too much, and too little, humidity in the home.

Too much
Windows may condensate
You may have allergic reactions
You may have water stains on walls and ceilings
You may have musty smells

Too little
Your skin, and lips, are likely to be dry and cracked
You may have a scratchy nose and throat
You may have breathing problems
You may find static electricity becomes a problem, especially around electronics

Many health issues are directly correlated, although not usually by the U.S. medical system, to moldy living conditions. These may include type l diabetes, asthma, allergies, headaches, sore eyes, coughing, frequent or seemingly never ending colds or flu.

Installing a hygrometer, or as many people call them, a humidity gauge or humidity sensor, into the home, can offer great benefit when working to maintain the proper moisture content. If you ever saw your parents or grandparents with a pot of water on the stove, there is a high probability that is, at least in part, why it was there.